Court day has finally arrived and you are anxiously waiting out in the lobby of the courthouse. Josh wasn't going to be allowed into the courtroom, but he insisted on taking the day off and coming to wait with you.
Josh: "You totally got this! I know you are nervous, but you are so strong and absolutely going to handle this like a boss."
You: *kissing him* "Thank you for believing in me."
Josh: "Of course. And remember, no matter what happens I am right here waiting for when it's over."
Before you can respond, the bailiff opens the door and tells you the judge is ready for you. He ushered you up to the stand and swore you in before stepping back to his spot next to Vinnie. You had been avoiding making eye contact with Vinnie, but when you looked over he was already staring you down. You couldn't quite read his expression, but it didn't look like remorse.
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The lawyer read back Vinnie's testimony to the court and while it sounded like a factual account of what went down, it definitely came off as though you'd instigated it. The prosecutor asked you a bunch of questions and you stumbled your way through them.
You'd tried your best to forget that night Vinnie busted into your room and attacked you. It broke your heart to feel that way because it had been an awful ending to what started as the best night of your life. When the pictures of your neck, littered with bruises in the shape of Vinnie's hands popped up on the screen in front of you... everyone in the courtroom gasped. The doctors had reassured you there was no damage, but the bruises had looked gruesome for over a week.
After an hour of testimony, the prosecutor and Vinnie's attorney approached the judge to let them know they had reached an agreement on a punishment. The judge waved them back to their seats, dismissing them before turning to you and bowing his head. He then turned to Vinnie and started his ruling: "I know that the lawyers in this case have decided today that thirty days in jail and a year's probation was a fair compromise, but I don't agree."
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Your heart dropped into your stomach as you waited to hear what his decision would be. He continued: "You should only be so lucky as to someday find a woman as strong as this young lady, but unfortunately I won't be giving you the chance for a very long time. I hereby sentence you to the state maximum of 5 years in the county jail and upon release an additional 5 years probation."
You saw Vinnie hang his head as the judge continued his ruling: "But make no mistake, young man this particular young lady will be off-limits. I am also issuing a permanent restraining order that will see you right back in this courtroom if upon release you go within 500 feet of the victim."
Vinnie was cuffed and led back through the side doors and the prosecutor handed you paperwork before leading you out to the lobby.
Josh was waiting for you on the other side looking more nervous than you had before you walked in. You handed him the papers and he shuffled through them and smiled: "So that's it? He's going to jail and it's over? Are you okay?"
You: "I guess so. I'm just glad that part of my life is over and I'm ready to move on."
Josh: *wrapping his arms around you* "That's where I come in, baby. Let's go."
